MINEHEAD Cycling Club staged its annual autumn Audax on Sunday October 11.

Ken’s Autumn Colours – named in memory of the late Ken Almond - offered a choice of routes, a challenging 107 kilometres or a hilly 65.

The non-competitive event saw most riders opt for the longer circuit, following a route card to find controls at Knightshayes Court and the White Hart in Wiveliscombe, while the shorter route headed for Dulverton via Winsford Hill.

With almost 100 riders from as far as Cornwall and Gloucester and ranging from 11 to 78 in age, the stars of the day were 13-year old Daniel Godfrey from Minehead and Will Dibble, 11, from Watchet. Products of the Minehead Merlins GoRide Club, the youngsters displayed excellent bike-handling skills and great endurance and maturity as they paced themselves around the moors and hills.

Daniel tackled the 107k route, more than doubling his previous longest ride, in fine style.

And Will, riding the 65k course for the third time, showed several more experienced riders the way as he tackled the climbs of Wheddon Cross and Winsford Hill.

Renowned for its relaxed nature and the friendly welcome, the event attracts riders of all abilities, and new-to-cycling local ladies Janet Marshall and Sue Maynard showed huge progress since attending the ladies coaching group run by club member Mouse Clark earlier in the year.

Thanks to the efforts of event organisers Richard and Michelle Miles and a small team of volunteers, riders were rewarded with a cream tea at Minehead Middle School after the event.